Windows 10’s first major update comes with great hidden features

Just as expected, Microsoft evening on Thursday released its first major update for Windows 10, bringing over several new features, But not all of them are immediately evident to the user. Among these hidden Windows 10 features, there’s a useful Find my device functionality, Cortana support for answering text messages (with a twist), Microsoft Edge sync support and even more.

The Find my device functionality that’s now built into Windows 10 will let you track down a lost or stolen laptop, The Verge reports. Just remember to enable the feature by going to Settings, then Update & Security and then Find my device.

Cortana will let you reply to text messages and missed calls with texts, but there’s a trick involved. You also have to own a Windows Phone smartphone to enable the functionality, as Cortana will use your phone to send the messages.

One other handy feature that’s now built into Windows 10 is the ability to cast media to a device. The option works inside Microsoft Edge and other apps, letting users beam photos, videos and music to a compatible device. It’s similar to using a Chromecast dongle from Google, but you also need to have other devices at home that support DLNA and Miracast streaming.

This Windows 10 update brings over a much-needed feature for Microsoft’s new browser, assuming you use more than one Windows 10 device on a regular basis. Microsoft Edge just got sync support for passwords, favorites and your reading list.

Other noteworthy hidden Windows 10 features included in the new update are support for automatic time zones, new Skype apps (including Messaging, Phone and Skype Video) and a better app snapping tool (for example, one window will automatically resize when manually resizing another).